Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) patrons and employees once again led this year’s Department of Defense (DOD) contributions to the Feds Feed Families campaign by collecting nearly 800,000 pounds of food and personal hygiene items.

New commissary store brands are appearing just in time for holiday savings, said the Defense Commissary Agency’s top enlisted service member.

Nov. 10 is the 244th anniversary of the establishment of the United States Marine Corps by the Continental Congress in 1775 to create a seafaring infantry for the Navy during times of battle at sea and ashore. “The Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) salutes the Marine Corps community on this occasion, acknowledging a legacy of valor, sacrifice and distinguished service that dates back to the American Revolution,” said Army Command Sgt. Maj. Tomeka N. O’Neal, senior enlisted advisor to the DeCA director. “On this, their 244th birthday, we say ‘Semper Fi!’ to our Marine patrons and are proud to deliver the commissary benefit they’ve earned.”

Spending for the Thanksgiving meal can quickly spiral out of control. By shopping the commissary, military members can save money on this one meal and help manage their budgets for the rest of the holidays.

For military and civilian alike, nothing easily spans the separations of family and friends created by military service and brightens the winter holidays quite like commissary gift cards, and this year new “open value” cards let gift givers determine the amounts they want to give.

The Defense Commissary Agency’s (DeCA’s) “gift of groceries” officially became a member of the seven-figure club Nov. 4 when the 1 millionth commissary gift card was sold at the Misawa Air Base, Japan, Commissary.

Commissaries worldwide are offering plant-based meat options for burgers, ground beef and sausages that are trending well with patrons, said the Defense Commissary Agency’s director of sales.

More commissaries will be open on the Mondays before Thanksgiving and Christmas, the Defense Commissary Agency announced.

Starting Jan. 1, all service-connected disabled veterans, Purple Heart recipients, former prisoners of war and primary veteran caregivers will be eligible to shop at commissaries worldwide.

Retired Rear Adm. Robert J. Bianchi, Chief Executive Officer of the Navy Exchange Service Command (NEXCOM) and Department of Defense (DOD) Special Assistant to ASD (M&RA) for Commissary Operations was honored with the DOD Distinguished Civilian Service Award at the 64th Annual Distinguished Civilian Service Award ceremony held at the Pentagon on Nov. 14.